🔧 Grand Cherokee - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Grand Cherokee with fresh oil. Fresh oil protects the 3.6L V6 from wear, keeps timing components lubricated, and helps prevent sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Always support your Grand Cherokee with jack stands if lifting it. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves. Used oil is messy and can irritate skin.
• ⚠️ Do not overtighten the plastic oil filter cap. It can crack.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a proper recycling center or auto parts store.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 13mm socket
• 24mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive extension 6-inch
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Oil drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Trim clip removal tool
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 0W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter cartridge with cap O-ring - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug sealing washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels if lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 🧰 A torque wrench tightens bolts to an exact tightness so parts are not damaged.
• 🛢️ An oil filter cartridge is the replaceable paper filter element inside the reusable plastic cap on top of the engine.
• 📱 Oil life reset will be done from the instrument cluster after the oil change.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the Hood and Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Use your hand to open the hood and secure it fully.
• Use your hand to remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Pull the dipstick up slightly by hand. This helps oil drain more smoothly.
• Tip: Set the cap where you cannot forget it.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the approved front lift point if more clearance is needed.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the approved front support points.
• Use your hands to gently shake the vehicle before going underneath. It should feel solid.
• Keep wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Lower Access Panel if Equipped

• Use the trim clip removal tool to remove any plastic push clips from the lower splash shield access area.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet if your access panel uses small bolts.
• Set the clips and bolts aside in a safe place.
• Tip: Take a phone photo before removal.

Step 4: Drain the Engine Oil

• Place the oil drain pan 8-quart minimum under the oil drain plug at the bottom of the oil pan.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the drain plug by hand while wearing nitrile gloves.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Inspect the drain plug threads. Replace the sealing washer with the new oil drain plug sealing washer.

Step 5: Reinstall the Oil Drain Plug

• Wipe the drain plug area clean with shop towels.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first. This prevents cross-threading.
• Use the torque wrench 3/8-inch drive with the 13mm socket to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Snug is not the same as tight.

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter Cartridge

• Stand at the front of your Grand Cherokee and locate the oil filter housing on top of the engine.
• Use the 24mm socket, 3/8-inch drive extension 6-inch, and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the plastic oil filter cap counterclockwise.
• Lift the cap and old filter straight up. Keep shop towels nearby for drips.
• Pull the old filter cartridge off the cap by hand.
• Use your fingers to remove the old O-ring from the cap. Do not use a sharp tool that can scratch the plastic.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter Cartridge

• Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil using a gloved finger.
• Install the new O-ring into the groove on the oil filter cap by hand.
• Push the new engine oil filter cartridge onto the cap until it seats fully.
• Thread the filter cap into the housing by hand first.
• Use the torque wrench 3/8-inch drive, 3/8-inch drive extension 6-inch, and 24mm socket to tighten the cap.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 5.5 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Wait one minute, then check the dipstick with shop towels.
• Add oil slowly until the level reaches the safe/full range.
• The oil capacity with filter is approximately 6 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 9: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Use your hand to make sure tools are clear from the engine bay.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use safety glasses and look under the engine for leaks at the drain plug.
• Use a flashlight if needed and check around the oil filter housing from above.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.

Step 10: Recheck Oil Level and Reinstall Panels

• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick clean, insert it fully, then check the level again.
• Add small amounts of 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil if needed.
• Use the trim clip removal tool by hand pressure to reinstall any splash shield clips.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to reinstall any access panel bolts snugly.

Step 11: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to slightly raise the front off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum by hand.
• Lower your Grand Cherokee slowly with the floor jack.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 12: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition to RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel buttons to go to Vehicle Info > Oil Life in the instrument cluster.
• Press and hold the OK button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• If the menu reset does not respond, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor 3 times within 10 seconds with ignition in RUN, then turn ignition OFF.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Grand Cherokee for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground.
• ✅ Wait 5 minutes and recheck the dipstick. Top off only if needed.
• ✅ Look under the vehicle for any oil drips.
• ✅ Check around the oil filter cap for seepage.
• ✅ Confirm the oil life display shows 100%.
• ✅ Record the mileage and date for your next oil change.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $95-$180 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $50-$100 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.